Savile's headstone removed from cemetery

FILE In this Sunday Sept. 18, 2005 file photo Vera Lynn and Jimmy Saville, right are seen at the unveiling of a contemporary sculpture at Victoria Embankment in central London to mark the 65th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. Friends and police say veteran British broadcaster Jimmy Savile, a famously eccentric popular culture figure, has died Saturday Oct. 29, 2011 at his home in northern England. He was 84. Savile, known for his garish tracksuits, chunky gold jewelry and boundless enthusiasm for pop music and charity work, was the host of two long-running British television programs and claimed to have been a confidant to the royal family. (AP Photo/Matthew Fearn, Pool)

October 10, 2012 5:01:07 AM PDT

Associated Press

LONDON (AP) - October 10, 2012 --

The headstone at the grave of a British children's television host has been removed after police said Jimmy Savile may have sexually assaulted more than 20 girls over a 40-year period.

Funeral director Robert Morphit said Wednesday that Savile's family had asked him to remove the stone to "protect the dignity and sanctity" of the cemetery in Scarborough in northeastern England. He said the stone was removed in three pieces and will be sent to a landfill.

Savile, who died last year aged 84, was one of Britain's best-known TV personalities.

The Metropolitan Police said Tuesday it had received eight criminal allegations against Savile, including two of rape and six of indecent assault, primarily against girls aged 13 to 16. The force believes there were up to 25 victims.